LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Miley Cyrus became emotional as she discussed her relationship with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. The 30-year-old pop icon rose to fame as a child star on the Disney series 'Hannah Montana,' in which her on-screen father was played by her real-life dad, Billy Ray.
While Miley has achieved significant success in her own right, including her recent hit single 'Flowers,' her journey has not been without challenges.
How did Miley Cyrus' family drama shape her journey?
Her parents, Billy Ray and his now-ex Tish, went through a divorce that really affected Miley and her siblings.
Shortly after the divorce, Billy Ray became engaged to musician Firerose, who is just four years older than Miley.
This new relationship reportedly strained the father-daughter bond, leading to tensions between them.
A source told The Sun "there has been some tension with Miley, which is sad to see."
Reflecting on her upbringing, Miley shared her perspective in a TikTok video from her 'Used to Be Young' series on Saturday, August 27, inspired by her new single.
She pointed out the contrast between her father's upbringing and her own, "When I was born, my dad had the No. 1 country song. When I see the numbers, I just see the humans behind it, enjoying the music,” Miley said.
She added, “I just see people in numbers.”
“My dad grew up the opposite of me, so I think that’s where me and my dad’s relationship to fame and success is wildly different,” Miley said in the video,
“Him feeling loved by a big audience impacted him emotionally more than it ever could me. When he feels special or important it’s like healing a childhood wound and I’ve always been made to feel like a star. It makes me emotional.”
In the video, which was also featured in her Hulu special 'Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions)' on August 25th, Miley shared “I do have a lot of great memories singing music with my dad and learning and absorbing,”
“I think I can see my wheels turning and watching his voice and the way that he’s using the instrument.”
She continued: “I will say that I feel vocally my dad was under-appreciated.”
Did 'Hanna Montana' destroy the Cyrus family?
The fame shot through the roof when Miley secured the role of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana." Billy Ray played her on-screen father.
However, he later expressed regret, stating that the show had a detrimental effect on their family relationships.
In a 2011 interview with GQ, Billy Ray remarked that the show had destroyed their family and wished it never happened.
“I’ll tell you right now — the damn show destroyed my family. And I sit there and go, ‘Yeah, you know what? Some gave all.’ It is my motto, and guess what? I have to eat that one. I some-gave-all’d it all right. I some-gave-all’d it while everybody else was going to the bank. It’s all sad,” he told GQ in a 2011 profile.
“I’d take it back in a second. For my family to be here and just be everybody OK, safe and sound and happy and normal, would have been fantastic. Heck, yeah. I’d erase it all in a second if I could," he added.
Miley responded to her father's comments on Instagram, noting that her life seemed to begin with the premiere of "Hannah Montana."
She expressed her aspiration to bring laughter, music, and iconic moments to the world, driven by the love of her fans.
'Hannah Montana' concluded in 2011, close to the time of Billy Ray's initial divorce filing from Tish.
After withdrawing the petition, Tish refiled in 2013. Billy Ray and Tish briefly reconciled before Tish filed for divorce again in 2022.
Billy Ray has since moved on and is engaged to singer Firerose, while Tish married actor Dominic Purcell.
Miley played a significant role in Tish and Purcell's wedding, hosting it at her Malibu home and serving as a bridesmaid alongside her sister Brandi.
Although Trace attended the wedding, younger siblings Braison and Noah were absent.
Despite the challenges and changes within the family, Miley continues to find purpose and fulfillment in her career and the support of her fans.
